Photographic-film clip



G. C. CROSS.

PH OIOGRAPHIC FILM'CLIP.

APPUCATION FILED JULY 28.1919.

1,333,794. Patented Mar. 16, 1920.

GUY c. onoss, or DENVER, COLORADO.

' PHOTOGRAPHIC-FI LWI CLIP. i

Specification of Letters Patent. vPatienttllilal'. .16, 192.0-

Application filed July 28, 1919. Serial No. 313,918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY C. CRoss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Photographic Film Clips, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is directed to improvements in photographic film clips, and particularly to that type employed for engagement with the free ends of a film strip to hold the same suspended within the tank baths during developing, fixing and washing.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a clip of this character so constructed that when engaged with the free ends of the film strip, and the strip is suspended within a tank, the adjacent or opposed surfaces of the strip will be held in spaced ,relation, thus eliminating the likelihood of the gelatin emulsion on the back of the film strip sticking, which now frequently occurs when the usual clips are used. 7 J

The present clip is so designed as to overcome the objectionable sticking, and will hold the photographic film negative in spaced relation during development, fixing and washing in the deep tankzmethod of development, thereby allowing free access of the developing, fixing and washing solutions to the back, as well as the face of the film strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clip of this character constructed in such a manner that one end of the film strip may be clamped or unclamped without disturbing the other end of the strip.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clip of this nature having associated therewith flared or inclined lips, whereby the ends of the film strip will be guided to a position to be clamped.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clip of this character which is exceedingly simple in construction, durable, and efficient in operation, and one which can be manufactured at a minimum cost.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in the novel features of construction, formation, combination and arrangement of par-ts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the clamp, showing the same attached to a film strip suspended in the conventional form of developing tank.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view through the same.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clamp.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view on line l& of Fig. 2. i V

The clip comprises a sheetmetal spring 1, the upper ends of which are provided with integral horizontally disposed jaws 2,

said jaws being formed with a plurality of bosses 3, preferably three in number, said bosses being produced by forming outwardly projecting indentations in said jaw. The sheet metal spring 1 is U-shaped, and may be formed from any suitable resilient metal.

The upper edges of the jaws 2 terminate in inwardly directed inclined lips 4, the purpose of which will. appear later.

The clip further consists of a boxing- 5, also formed from sheet metal, and comprises end walls 6. and side walls 7. The side walls 7 terminate in integral elongatedjaws 8, the upper edges of which. are disposed below the planes of the upper edges of the lipsl carried by the aws 2. The jaws 8 are provided with a plurality of openings 9, corresponding in number: to the bosses 3' carried by the jaws 2, andserve in conjunction therewith to firmly clamp the free ends of the film strip 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, said strip then being suspended on the usual rack 1.1. The rack 11 is supported onthe edges of the developing tank 12 in the customary manner, whereby the film strip is suspended properly therein.

The boxing 5 is slipped over the spring 1, and not only serves to retain the spring in proper contracted position, but also supports the jaws 8 in proper relation to the jaws 2. To prevent relative sliding move ment of the spring 1 and boxing 5, a pin 13 is employed and is passed through perforations 14. formed in the arms of the spring, the ends of said pin being suitably fixed in the side walls 7 of the boxing.

The side walls 7 of the boxing 5 are out so as to provide depending extensions 15,. and cut-outs 16, the latter serving to accommodate the forefinger and thumb of the user, whereby the upper ends of the arms of the spring 1 may be conveniently engaged, thus permitting the spring to be flexed easily for simultaneously spread ng the jaws 2 and 8 apart to release the ends of the film strip 10, when said strip is removed from a tank.

Previous to placing the rack 11 on the tank 12 it is necessary to hang the unrolled film on the rack, and first clam one end and then the other end thereof, t ierefore it is essentialthat each set of co-acting 'aws 2 and 8 be operated independently. This is readily accomplished since the user can place the thumb on one extension 15, and press the forefinger on the spring 1,. or the forefinger may be placed on the extension 15 and the thumb on the spring 1, as desired. After the film strip has been properly subjected to the developing, fixing and washing baths the rack 11 is removed from the tank 12, and both the forefinger and thumb placed on the spring, and pressed, whereupon the jaws 2 and 8 will be simultaneously operated to release the ends of the film strip.

Owing to the presence of the lips l it is obvious that the free ends of the film strip can be easily guided between the jaws 2 and 8, since these ends will follow the lips 4;. The jaws can be conveniently manipulated to effectively clamp the film. Since the spring 1 tends to expand it will be apparent that the bosses 3 will urge portions of the film strip into the openings 9, thus positively preventing accidental disengagement between the strip and jaws.

To those skilled in the art it will be readily apparent that a clip has been provided which will hold the film strip separated when the same is suspended within the bath, thus preventing the film from sticking, as now frequently occurs.

WVhat is claimed is:

1. A film clip having means for clamping the free ends of a film strip to hold the same vertical and in spaced parallel relation during the developing, fixing and washing thereof.

2. A film clip comprising two sets of diametrically disposed jaws adapted to engage the free ends of a film strip to hold the same vertical and in spaced parallel relation.

3. A film clip comprising a U-shaped spring, the ends thereof being provided with jaws, a boxing surrounding the spring and having associated therewith jaws for cooperating with the first named jaws, and means associated with the boxing forsimultaneously or independently flexing, the arms of the spring to actuate the jaws, as and for the purpose set forth.

l. A film clip comprising a U-shaped spring, aws carried by the ends of the arms thereof, a boxing surrounding the spring, and comprising side and end walls, the side walls having jaws carried thereby for coactin with the first named jaws, said side walls having extensions and cut-outs associated therewith, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A film clip comprising a pair of resiliently connected arms, means surrounding the arms to limit the movement thereof in one direction, and means passable through said means and the arms to prevent relative sliding movement thereof in a longitudinal direction.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUY C. CROSS.

Witnesses:

G. R. CONNELLY,

O. D. LOWRY. 

